Cole faces waiting game

17 July 2014 12:01pm

By Sportsbeat

Dan Cole could be ruled out until the new year

Inpho

As Dan Cole continues to recover from major surgery, Leicester Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill insists he will not put the British and Irish Lions prop at risk by forcing a premature return.

The 27-year-old, who featured in all three Tests as Warren Gatland's team triumphed in Australia last year, has been sidelined since February with a long-standing neck injury aggravated while training with England.

Cole was consequently forced to undergo surgery on a compressed disc and Cockerill is prepared to wait for as long as is necessary before restoring one of his crown jewels to the Tigers front row.

"He is coming along well. It is just a waiting game," he told the Leicester Mercury.

"There is no specific target for Dan. We are hoping October, November time, but if that ends up being December or January then that's fine.

"It is just about getting him right, especially in such an important part of his body there will be no risks taken there."

Ryan Grant displayed some impressive singing skills while on tour with the British & Irish Lions. The full release of Lions Raw will be available on DVD and Blu-Ray from October 28th. Pre-order on Amazon.

This clip featuring Simon Zebo will whet your appetite ahead of the much anticipated release of 'Lions Raw', the official Behind the Scenes documentary of the successful 2013 Tour. Full release on October 28th and available on DVD and Blu-Ray.